Volvo diesel cooling+radiator flush

[harpguitar]

Well you guys were right!

My Volvo deisel was indeed running hot because of scale buildup which was resolved by a mechanic with a coat hanger wire in the exhaust manifold inlets. (As suggested by folks on this list).

Two questions for you. He thought I should maintain the engine by periodically flushing out the stuff with auto radiator flush. What do you think of that?

He also thought I should periodically flush the engine out with fresh water from a 5 gal bucket sucked in thru the intake hose/

Do you agree with both? Why or why not?

Thank you!

Rick

[Freesail99]

I would use this if I were you.

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|10918|309314|311419&id=750298

[harpguitar]

This looks like exactly the kind of thing I would need! How often do you use it?

Rick

[Freesail99]

I have a volvo and used it once, lowered the temp in my engine, good stuff.

[Rockter]

Is it a raw water cooled motor like the MD17C?
Scale builds up on the wee holes through which the coolant enters the cylinder heads, and yes, a coat hanger will clear them. Last time I cleared them was 1998. They are still clear.
Some do a chemical flush every now and again. I have not.

[harpguitar]

Yes Rockter,

It was you that gave me the advice about the scale iin the first place. It is the MD2B motor.

We replaced the through hull valve, water pump (which was leaking) then he removed the manifold cleared the inlets with coat hanger wire replaced copper gasket and now we are done!

It is good to know your fix has worked for years.

Rick

[Rockter]

Sorry Harp. I had forgotten.
It's not a bad motor, despite the shocking cost of parts.
Properly set up, and given some reasonable maintainence, it really does well.
Mine is in its 31st year.
Don't let it freeze though. I did when the freshwater canal froze... rumoured to be about -14 C, 7 F that night... and I have a wee crack in the aftmost barrel for my sins. All the core plugs blew out but one crack remained.
It is not worsening though, and I am thankful for that.

[harpguitar]

To Rockter,

Am glad to hear these freezing problems didn't get worse. These volvo diesels appear to have strong hearts. Mine starts up easily, no starting fluid required which I think is a good sign in a 30 year old engine.

And to Freesail 99...thank you again likewise...I will use that stuff, looks like I can really clean her out with it.

Now to try the sails...

Thank you again,
Rick

[JimsCAL]

Originally Posted by harpguitar

Well you guys were right!
Two questions for you. He thought I should maintain the engine by periodically flushing out the stuff with auto radiator flush. What do you think of that?
Rick

Auto radiator flush won't get rid of salt water scale. You need an acid to do that. Oxalic acid from the hardware store circulated through the engine with an electric pump will do the job.